Dr. Denise A. Soares

• Position: Dean and Professor
• Department: School of Education
• Office Location: Building 85/Suite 103
• dsoares@uwf.edu
• Campus: 850.474.2893

Biography

Dr. Denise A. Soares became the Dean of the School of Education on January 6, 2025. She is a Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Research. Dr. Soares joined UWF SOE from her prior position as a professor of special education and assistant dean at the University of Special Education. 

Dr. Soares is dedicated to special education and bridging the gap between research and practice. She has authored or co-authored numerous articles, books, and chapters. 

With 18 years of experience as a classroom teacher and administrator, Dr. Soares has also worked as a consultant for public schools and parents. Her research centers on applied and practical experiences in academic and behavioral interventions for at-risk students, as well as assessing their effectiveness in classroom settings where teachers encounter competing time demands. 

Degrees & Institutions

She earned her B.S. in elementary education with a specialization in special education from Texas State University, an M.Ed. in administration and supervision from the University of Houston, and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.